Who is classified as a beneficiary?

The classification of a beneficiary specifically refers to a person who receives benefits, privileges, or distributions from a legal document, often in the context of a will or trust. This individual is designated to receive assets or benefits outlined by the deceased person's wishes. In legal terms, being a beneficiary involves the direct receipt of property, money, or benefits that are conveyed through those legal instruments.

While other roles mentioned have legal significance, they do not encapsulate the essence of being a beneficiary. For example, someone who pays debts on behalf of another does not inherently benefit from their actions; they are facilitating a transaction but not receiving a benefit. Similarly, a person executing a legal document is acting on behalf of others, and a witness testifies to the validity of a document or event, but neither role relates to the personal receipt of benefits from a will or similar legal arrangement. Therefore, the only accurate definition of a beneficiary in this context is someone who receives benefits from a will.